(NewsNation) — President Donald Trump’s change in rhetoric signals an inevitable peace deal, according to James Jeffrey, a former ambassador and deputy national security adviser.
Trump addressed Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a media conference Tuesday.
“I just think he should be more appreciative,” Trump said of Zelenskyy.
“Because this country has stuck with them through thick and thin. We’ve given them much more than Europe, and Europe should have given more than us because, as you know, that’s right there.”
Jeffrey said Trump’s comments signify a shift back to the messaging of a peace deal, which he spoke about early in his meeting with Zelenskyy on Friday before tensions increased.
“The problem is that Zelenskyy is not really sure he wants to do a deal,” Jeffrey said. “Zelenskyy was raising issues [on Friday] that are nonstarters with President Trump, and frankly, they’re nonstarters with the Russians. So that led to the irritation. Now, people are trying to work this out.
“European pledge to support Zelenskyy is helpful, but Zelenskyy knows, or should know, Europeans alone cannot either deliver enough weapons and other financial support or negotiate with Russia.”
Trump said peace talks could resume when Zelenskyy showed greater gratitude to the United States and told reporters he didn’t think a deal was dead.
Earlier in the day, the president took umbrage with Zeleskyy’s comments that the end of the war was “still very, very far away.”
